We hastened forward; but the rain was so heavy, we were wet through before we reached a little farm on a common. This little abode, stolen from the waste, said my tutor, will afford us a shelter. A cheerful light, which darted through a window, no shutter guarded, seemed to invite us to house ourselves, and we knocked with our sticks against the door; it was quickly opened, and a venerable old man, bending beneath a weight of years, desired us to enter, and in the chimney corner we saw an old woman, sitting near the blazing hearth, whose light had attracted us; and a girl was preparing some cabbages for their supper. We mentioned our accident to account for our intrusion, and while we were speaking the old woman stirred the fire and desired us to approach and dry ourselves. We did so.—What a refreshment! Never, no never did I find the fire so comfortable as at that moment. What a blessing it is, thought I, that there is so much fewel—and what must those suffer, who, wet and numbed, cannot procure a fire to dry their rags, or warm their shivering limbs; I now feel for them more than ever. I looked at the inside of the cottage with some attention; what a difference there is between it and our elegant house, thought I, and yet the old couple seem to be bent by years not care. The rich have luxury and listlessness, the poor labour and repose, whispered the Doctor, when I mentioned to him the doubts which were struggling in my mind; God is still the Father of us all, and provides for all his numerous family. Gentlemen, said the old man, though I cannot give you much good cheer, you are welcome to what I have. My daughter will fry some bacon and eggs, to help out the cabbage, and I believe I can find a bottle of strong beer.—What say you, Dame, is there not one saved for Christmas? We must bring it out of its hiding place for the gentlemen; for after being wet they will want something to comfort their hearts. And our bed too is at your service. Dr. Bartlett refused the bed, because he would not put them to any inconvenience; but they insisted on it, and said, they could sleep in the loft, in their daughter’s bed, who would not matter lying on the floor one night; and for matter of that, said the old man, I should not mind doing so one night myself.